EAting disorders in children

Warning signs in children

Sudden changes in eating habits: Skipping meals, cutting out specific foods or food groups, avoiding foods that used to be favorites, overusing condiments, cutting food into small pieces, chewing excessively

Notable​ increase in exercise or movement: When young, movement and exercise should be for fun, not for burning calories. Some signs include exercising and training outside of scheduled sports or athletics, mentioning burning calories or fat, exercising in secret, choosing exercising over playing with friends or other obligations including school

Concern about their body or weight: Spending ample time in front of the mirror or looking at their reflection, asking to be weighed or weighing themselves, asking if they're fat, comparing themselves to their friends excessively

Unexpected weight loss or gain: This is tricky because childhood and early adolescence is a time of many bodily changes including weight gain or loss, but if a child stops growing or gains weight rapidly, consult a pediatrician

The average age of onset for an eating disorder is 12 years old. However, disordered eating can develop as early as 4 years old.

The symptoms may differ from those of teens or adults!

Eating Disorders are NOT a phase.

The consequences of an eating disorder can be permanent, especially in growing kids, and ultimately, lethal, if not treated.

Families NOT to blame- often parents and family members are the greatest source of support for a child to recover!

Early detection is critical- the earlier an eating disorder is spotted, the more likely the child will make a full recovery!